There is NO criteria in the BFHI for when to start breastfeeding a premie!
There is no weight, gestational age, post-natal age etc. criteria.
Every baby is different. I have 800 gm, ex-26 week infants with accelerated
lung and neurologic maturity who do better at breastfeeding than big, fat 36
week IDM's !
The only criteria is: stable; able to handle own secretions; willing to suck.
We start with Kangaroo care and "dry" breastfeeding as a prelude to regular
breastfeeding, long before any oral feedings.
Nancy Wight MD,FAAP, IBCLC
Neonatologist, San Diego